Snow is in this weekend's forecast, which means sleigh bells will be jingling. The vintage form of winter transportation may not seem practical now, but long ago it served a purpose. Roads did not need to be plowed, and riders zipped along the frozen ground swiftly to their destination. With crops harvested and livestock butchered and preserved, winter was a social season, and sleighs helped carry passengers to visit with friends and family.

Today, sleigh rides are also social, as friends and families take in the peaceful, scenic snowy landscape among loved ones. A few local farms offer snow enthusiasts a chance to enjoy winter's beauty while sleigh bells jingle away.

Loon Meadow in Norfolk offers a chance to dash through the snow, with sleigh rides on weekends and holidays through the winter months.

Beth Podhajecki, who runs the farm with her husband Steve, said this season has been better than last year for sleigh rides. Ground and weather conditions are the variable in whether passengers can enjoy the horse-drawn sleigh; the ground needs to be frozen with a layer of white over it.

"Generally we would like to have 6 to 8 inches of snow, but we did rides (last weekend) with even less," Podhajecki said. "It varies depending on the temperature. If it stays cold and we have a frozen ground, it helps tremendously."

At Loon Meadow, rides are about 35 to 40 minutes, and hot cider is served to passengers at the end. A heated waiting room overlooks the fields and woods on the 20-acre farm, which hosts rides on Sundays through Feb. 23, as well as on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, and President's Day, Feb. 18.

Cost is $125 for a ride in the two-person Surrey sleigh; or $250 for a larger sleigh, which holds up to 10 people. Infants are free on the rides. All rides are private rides, Podhajecki said.

"Full Moon" evening sleigh rides are also offered between 7 to 9 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, as well as on Feb. 23 and 24. The full moon rides are $100 for two people; or $350 for up to 10 people.

If conditions are not suitable for a sleigh ride, the farm will substitute a carriage ride of the same length.

Sleigh rides can also be booked for small parties at the farm, and other times for rides are available by appointment for additional cost.

Reservations should be made in advance. For details on Loon Meadow Farm sleigh rides, call 860-542-6085 or visit loonmeadowfarm.com.

Wood Acres Farm in Terryville has 25 acres of wooded trails for its old-fashioned sleigh rides. Draft horses pull the runners over the hills and through the woods, while passengers snuggle under warm blankets. The farm can accommodate groups, couples or even larger gatherings.

A private ride on a Victorian sleigh for up to four people is $125, plus gratuity. Refreshments are included and blankets are provided. Gift certificates are also available, for the rides, which last about 40 to 45 minutes.

Rides for up to 12 people are $250, plus gratuity. Visitors are asked to bring blankets for this ride; complimentary hot chocolate after the ride is included. Sleigh ride parties are also available.

Wood Acres Farm will also offer special "Rose & Champagne Rides" from noon to 7 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15 in honor of Valentine's Day. The event features a private half-hour ride either in the afternoon, or under the stars, hors d'oeuvres served in a private romantic setting indoors by candlelight and with soft music after the ride. Private rides for two are $175; a double date ride is $250. Due to popularity of this event, reservations are recommended by Feb. 1.

Reservations are required for all sleigh rides. If there is rain or a snow storm on the day of the ride, deposits are transferable to to a future date. If there is insufficient snow for a ride. a country carriage ride or wagon ride will be substituted.

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Mass., will host a "Old-Fashioned Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rally" on Feb. 2. Vintage sleighs pulled by a variety of horses, from tiny miniatures to giant Clydesdales, will be showcased at the event.

Drivers will compete in a dozen different classes, including the popular "Sleigh Dog" and "Currier & Ives" divisions. The sleigh rally begins at 11 a.m. and is open to the public free with museum admission.

Visitors to the museum can enjoy enjoy ice skating with their own skates; sleigh rides; and sledding on an 1830s-style sleds. Museum historians will present "Of Ice and Men: A History of Skates and Skating" at the event. Visitors can warm up indoors with one of the many fireplaces and take part in hands-on crafts and activities.

Admission to Old Sturbridge Village is $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, $8 for children ages 3 to 17 and free for kids ages two and younger. Parking is free. For details, visit www.osv.org or call 800-733-1830.

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